Ignition mechanism for internal combustion engines



June 30, 1931. o. ODEE ET AL 1,812,709

IGNITION MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Original Filed Aug. 1. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1931. o. ODEE ET AL k 1,312,709

IGNITION MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES (Xi-igixgal Filed Aug. 1, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I OLE ODEE AND PAUL PATRICK EMIL RICHARDS, OF BATAVLA, ILLINOIS IGNITION MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Application filed August 1, 1927, Serial No. 209,920. Renewed November 12, 1930.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition mechanism for internal combustion engines and comprises spark plugs of the self-cleaning type. One object is to provide a. plug that will not accumulate carbon and that consequently will not misfire, that is of few parts, cheap to manufacture, durable and efficient in operation.

A further object is to provide a spark plug and connections that can be manufactured without the use of porcelain, that will not crack or break as is customary with many plugs now manufactured due to overheating, quick changes of temperature, expansion etc.

A further object is to provide a spark plug having a removable body portion that can be inserted in the base or stem of any one of several types of standard plugs thereby giving to such plugs the many advantages resulting from the use of the present plug.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which Fig. 1 is a view of the cylinder head and intake manifold of a motor illustrating the application of the ignition mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a spark plug.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional view through a plug.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of a plug. Like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views. The present plug comprises a pipe-shaped main body portion in the stem of which is a r valve of novel construction that regulates the admission of gas to the plug body to scavenge the same and the electrode therein, said body portion having in its upper end a removable substantially cylindrical jacket the ends of which receive plugs or caps of mica which insulate the electrode passing therethrough and through the jacket, said jacket being filled with cement, or like material, in which the electrode is imbedded and anchored against relative movement, the several plugs employed being connected by gas tubes to a tank that receives the gaseous mixture direct from the intake manifold of the engine.

The reference numeral 1 denotes the cylinder head, 2 the intake manifold and 3 a small gas tank spaced above the cylinder head and receiving gas therefrom through the pipe 4. The mechanism comprises a plurality of spark plugs corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine, each of said plugs comprising a stem 5 which is threaded exteriorly and interiorly at its outer end, this end of said stem being connected by a pipe 6 to the said tank 3, each pipe 6 at itsend connected to the stem 5 being formed with the terminal flange 7 that rests upon a washer 8 disposed directly upon the end of the stem, said members being secured together by a retaining nut 9 engaging the said flange 7 and the exterior threads of the stem 5.

' The bore in the stem 5 is enlarged at the outer end thereof in such manner as to form an annular bevelled shoulder 10. Peripheral prongs 11, spaced apart and four in number are integral with the insert'nut 12 that is screwed into the threaded end of said stem, said prongs having inwardly bent ends'12a. A valve 13, disc shaped, received by the ends of said prongs 11 is adapted for movement back and forth between the said prong ends and the adjacent end of the nut 12, said valve serving to admit gas from the pipe 6 and nut 12 into the bore of the stem 5 to the body of the plug but eflectually preventing the return of any particle of such gases, said valve 13 being freely movable and actuated by the intake and exhaust strokes of the cylinder pistons.

Integral with the stem 5 of the main body portion is the bowl 14 having the rounded base 15 formed with the transverse slot 16 enlarged at its central portion 17 which is in the longitudinal center line of the bowl, to receive one end of the electrode 18 that extends longitudinally through the bowl, through the mica caps 19, 20 that close the ends of the substantially cylindrical acket 21 and through the cement, or like material, 22 baked in said jacket, said electrode being formed with the flat or anchor portion 23 imbedded in the mass 22 and beyond the cap 20 having secured thereto by the nuts 24, 25 the usual wire 26. The jacket fits snugly but removably in the bowl 14 and is threaded exteriorly to engage with the interior threads, see Fig. 4, of said bowl, the flanged upper end of said jacket resting upon the upper end of the bowl. The bowl is formed also with the usual exterior screw threads 27 to permit it to be screwed into the cylinder head.

The gaseous mixture drawn through the stem 5 and into the bowl 14 scavenges the electrode sothat a strong spark will always be reduced between the same and said, bowl. he jacket 21 may be made in a number of sizes so that certain jackets may be received into the bodies of standard spark plugs if desired and when the porcelain bodies in such plugs are broken or cracked they may be removed and the said jackets substituted therefor. I

What is claimed is In an ignition device, a shell open at one end and having a passage in itsother end, the open end of said shell being internally threaded and an internal shoulder being formed about the walls of theshell in spaced relation to its open end, a jacket screwed into said shell and having a reduced inner end portion forming a circumferential shoulder fitting against the shoulder of the shell, said jacket having an internal flange at its inner end and having itswalls internally thickened toward its outer end, a plug of insulating material in the inner end of said jacket, bearing against said flange, a cap of insulating material for the outer end: of said jacket extending into the same, an electrode extending axially through. said jacket with itsinner end portion extending through the shell and projecting through the passage in the inner, end thereof and a cementitious filling for said jacket.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing asour own we have hereto affixed our signatures.

015E ODEE. mm. PATRICK sun. RICHARDS. 

